Visual interview with an artist Fantine Reucha

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Fantine is an artist working with words and illustrations. A dreamer that Fantine is, she always needs to find a way to express her creativity and to live with a sense of great freedom to enjoy herself.

What did you study?

After graduating from high school with major in literature and a considerable amount of art classes, I went to a photography school that is now shut down. My first university year was amazing and particularly satisfying because we mostly did film photography and film development. I still think it was one of the most influential years in my journey as a creator. At some point, however, studio work and retouching has taken me away from my creative identity, and I felt the need to find myself. I started to draw on my own, in an imperfect and free manner.

What is your professional path – have you always been a freelancer or did you work in an office? If so, do you think of returning there one day?

I’ve never been an employee in my life and I don’t think I could ever be one... I need to set up my routine with freedom and fantasy.

What do you think are the pros and cons of working on your own?

It is only the matter of your personal preferences really, and there is no magic recipe – the way you work should suit your own needs and desires in order to define your unique path. The main advantage is the freedom to manage your time and to reinvent your own craft, whereas the disadvantages are the necessary discipline, learning to self-organise (which is a big deal for a daydreamer like me!) and accepting the uncertainty that every tomorrow brings.

What is the most difficult part of your work?

The administrative part of course! It’s all Greek to me, and I don’t understand a single thing about la Maison des artistes, the association of artists in France.

Tell us about your atelier

My little studio consists of all the things that I love: objects I found on flea markets during my walks through Paris, each of them being chosen for what it made me feel or think of. The books you can find here are just as much nurturing as they are encouraging. I found my blue armchairs second hand – fell crazy in love with this blue that changes depending on the light. I was also looking for a pink armchair, and when I received this one after ordering it I discovered it wasn’t pink at all – rather a shade of venetian red – and ended up keeping it. My atelier is ‘a room of one’s own’, an ode to creativity where I have collected everything that I love and that inspires me.

What is your daily routine?

The thing that rarely changes through my days is the way they begin. I’m a morning person, and every day I wake up as early as possible – I need to start the day with my morning rituals that can take a while. Those are journaling, meditating and reading a couple of pages that would inspire and guide me through the day. After that I have breakfast, get myself ready and leave for my atelier around nine o’clock. These 30 minutes of walking there are important for me because they allow me to ponder what I would like to do and set my intentions for the day. Once I arrive, I have a cup of tea and sit right down at my dest to make sure I’m not tempted to procrastinate for hours. I work on my orders or other ongoing projects until one o’clock. Then I go out to Jardin du Palais Royal behind my atelier where I take my time to wander and eventually have lunch. Sometimes I have meetings in the afternoon, otherwise I get back to whatever I was working on previously. I’m usually no longer productive after 17-18 o’clock, and that’s when I let myself to daydream, read – and tidy. There is always a day in a week that I dedicate to getting inspired. I stroll around Paris, visit a museum, discover cute shops, read and draw in a café. This precious day allows me to keep the balance by distracting myself and turning my attention outward.

What words of encouragement would you address to someone who would like to start working on freelance as an artist?

Doing something you love is the most precious commitment. There is always a path that will unravel under your feet, step by step.

Could you share some of your favourite places in Paris?

Le Jardin du Palais Royal for wandering, Passages Jouffroy or Passage du Grand Cerf to shop vintage books, ceramics atelier of my friends Corentin Brison, Théo Tourne and Tom & Folks at 21 Avenue Claude Vellefaux in the 10th arrondissement for making clay dreams come true. And finally, chez Homade on rue Jacques Louvel Tessier at for having one of the best parisian brunches in peace and quiet.

fantinereucha.com / @fantinereucha

All images © Alina Sepp

Text translation and editing by Katya Ulitina

This story originally appeared in Paris With Me blog.

Visual interview with a coffee illustrator Anna Gorvits

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Anna Gorvits is a creator: she studied cinema and photography, and now combines her passion for good coffee and painting in coffee illustration. Anna told us the story of her artistic journey and shared her favourite coffee places in Paris.

Fifteen years ago, the first of January, Anna came to Paris. She learned French from scratch and got accepted to a cinema school. She started speaking French immediately – out of panic rather than confidence. Anna wasn’t planning on staying in Paris afterwards – it just sort of happened. After the cinema school, she graduated from two photography schools and worked as an extreme sport photographer. In 2011, she gave birth to a daughter Elise, Dusya for short.

Back in her Moscow childhood, Anna attended an architecture course in «Start» studio and, according to her parents’ expectations, would have to be accepted to Moscow Architectural Institute. Which means, she drew, and she drew a lot. Since she never went to MArchI, she has stopped drawing for – what a terrifying number! – twenty years.

Turned out, her desire to paint and her experience in visual arts persisted. Once after Dusya’s classes – she was five back then – mother and daughter stopped by The Café Suédois. Dusya found a brush under the chair and immediately wanted to draw something. Anna obviously had no paint with her, so she handed to Dusya her cup of coffee – here you go! Ten minutes later, they were both painting with coffee, and Anna started to realise what a brilliant idea it was.

A devoted coffee gourmand that Anna is, she has tried all sorts of coffee on the paper. She collaborates with coffee shops, manufacturers and roasters, journalists and coffee-related businesses. This year, she exhibited her artwork twice and participated in two coffee festivals. At the moment Anna is working on a book about coffeeshops in Paris that will be illustrated with coffee paintings. She organises workshops on coffee sketching around the globe.

Obviously, Anna doesn’t exclusively paints with coffee: it is just icing on the cake. She also creates illustrations for a book of Polina Sanaeva «Black Polo Neck» that will be published in Moscow in November. For the sake of enjoyment, Anna works as a private tour guide in Paris and shares her favourite local nooks with the guests visiting the city. She has been teaching cinema, photography and illustration in Junio-R Art and Science summer camp in Bulgaria for  – what a terrifying number once again! – twenty years. She adores her daughter, Paris and good black coffee!

Anna is persuaded that almost every coffeeshop in Paris has a special vibe, lovely baristas and great coffee. That is why it is so difficult to say which ones are the best. Here are those where you are more likely to meet Anna at:

Ten Belles

Back in Black

Beans on Fire

The Hood

KB coffeeshop

La Fontaine de Belleville

Arabica

Kitsune

@drawing_paris

All images © Alina Sepp / Written by Katya Ulitina

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Maya Dorsey, local guide

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Maya is a California-bred, adopted Parisienne and proud citizen of the world. She runs La Vie Locale - an online resource for people visiting or planning a move to Paris. Maya truly enjoys sharing her knowledge to help make people’s experience in Paris unforgettable.

Maya generously shared with us her favourite spots in Montmartre and her recommendations for unique experiences in Paris.

What makes Montmartre so special?

I’ve lived in several neighbourhoods during my time in Paris and Montmartre is by far one of my favourites. Montmartre used to be considered a village outside of Paris in the 18th and 19th century, so it is cool to walk around the streets today and still feel some of the countryside charm. It is a great place to visit in Paris that is a bit removed from central Paris but has a lot to offer such as: the Sacré-Coeur, museums, quaint cobblestone streets, artist studios. It also neighbours lovely areas like Pigalle (where you can find the Moulin Rouge), La Goutte D’or (Little Africa).

What’s your personal fave stop in Montmartre?

Besides going for random walks, I really enjoy the view all the way from the top of Basilica Sacré-Coeur. Most people take in the view from the steps, or visit the church, but there is also an entrance to visit the Dome of the beautiful basilica. After walking up 300 plus steps in a narrow staircase it leads you to a beautiful 360 panoramic view of Paris, which is hands down one of my favourite.

Can you recommend a cosy place for a romantic evening in the area?

L’Esquisse - perfect place for a ‘dîner en tête-à-tête’.

Le Grand 8 - great quality food and wine, with a view of Parisian rooftops.

Hôtel Particulier Montmatre - cosy hotel hidden in a garden alleyway of Montmartre.

How about a wine bar for an apéro with friends?

Terrass hotel - wonderful 7th-floor rooftop bar with a great view of the Eiffel Tower.

Le Nizar- nice place to grab a cocktail to two on the terrace.

Gisou - lovely wine and tapas bar.

Maya is an awesome resource for all things Paris, and through her trip planning consulting business, she helps people coming to Paris organise their trips to get a more local experience beyond the classic monuments. Maya has shared with us three unique experiences you can enjoy during your next trip to Paris:

Taste french wines at Galeries Lafayette 

Did you know that Galeries Lafayette has more to offer than shopping? They also offer a 1.5-hour wine tasting class every Friday where you travel through different regions of France through 6 different wines. I was surprised to find a cute apartment set up amongst the showroom floors of the store, where we tasted a nice selection of niche wine.

Make your own perfume 

Musée du Parfum – Fragonard offers free visits of their museum where you can learn about the perfume making process. If you would like to go home with a special souvenir from your trip and create your own fragrance, everyday Saturday they offer Perfume making workshops.

Explore a local neighbourhood

Canal St. Martin is one of my favourites. When in the area make sure to stop by Du Pain et Des Idées, the best bakery in town only open weekdays, grab a bite to eat at Holybelly, walk along the Canal, take a coffee at your choice of specialty cafes like Ten Belles, Caoua, Radiodays, or a drink at Le Comptoir Général, and check out Artazart, a concept bookstore great for souvenirs.

@lavielocale / La Vie Locale

All images © Alina Sepp / Written by Katya Ulitina

Oraz Tokaev, digital manager of fragrances

Oraz came to Paris from windy Turkmenistan. He has always wanted to travel the world, and to make his dream come true, he decided to study foreign languages. French is the one that has now become an integral part of his everyday life.

Language skills ​​helped Oraz to visit different countries and to get to know himself from unexpected perspective. He discovered that every part of the world as well as every person has its unique scent. Oraz started to search for the accords that could emphasise his own mood and personality.

While working at L’Oréal, Oraz fully emerged himself into the world of perfumes. His journey began with the classic fragrances of the leading perfume brands, but by now he has learnt to appreciate the special charm of niche fragrances with concentrated oils and perfumed body care products from small boutiques.

Oraz shared with us his recent findings among the perfumery shops in Paris and four of his favourite fragrances.

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Parisian boutiques

Paris has become a source of perfume luxury for me. When walking down the streets of Marais, you can easily find a little unknown brand with magnificent products. My recent discoveries are Officine Universelle Buly 1803 on 6 Rue Bonaparte and L’Eau de Cassis, two small worlds with their treasures. Buly 1803 charmed me with the natural ingredients and touching story of the brand. The boutique looks like a sophisticated 19th-century pharmacy with miraculous oils and creams in porcelain bowls. I liked the Damask rose body lotion that leaves a light floral tone on the skin for a long time. L’Eau de Cassis captivated me with its simple but bright concept of the Southern France. The son of the perfumer lives in Paris. He works in a boutique in Marais, can introduce you to the wide range of scents and suggest which perfumery ritual suits you best.

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Four special perfumes

Niche perfume 6 Place Saint Sulpice by Yves Saint Laurent is perfect for dank days. The fragrance opens with a light bouquet of lavender and bergamot, accented by distinct yet intriguing notes of saffron, leather and oriental spices.

Take a look at L’Artisan Parfumeur which enchants me with its elegant packaging and amazing combination of notes. I got stroked by Noir Exquis: its deep base embodies the embrace of coffee and dried fruit. This scent will please those who prefer the unusual sweet fragrances.

Next scent to introduce is a fragrance for every day by one of my favourite brands Diptyque. Floral L’Ombre Dans L’eau deepens into a sensuous heart of juicy notes of currant and rose.

Yves Saint Laurent’s Opium is familiar to many, but a lot of people still avoid vintage perfumes. I think they shouldn’t, because their skin can react quite differently to the fragrance, and there is a chance that several notes will unravel themselves throughout the day. At first the perfume unfurls with warm incense, and in an hour — with gentle mandarin in the oriental framing.

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Oraz recommends

My recommendation for beginners in the perfume world is to explore your preferences, your nose and your body. This can be a long, but adventurous journey of self-discovery. For the doubtful ones, there are always places to get a piece of advice: go to the popular Nose boutique, test perfumes with an expert and select your individual product line. That is a worthwhile investment, I promise!

@tokaevoraz

All images © Alina Sepp / Written by Katya Ulitina

Rudy Lauer, founder of The Parisian Man blog

Charming influencer and founder of The Parisian Man blog, Rudy Lauer unveiled for us the world of men's fashion blogs.

How did the blog story begin?

When I was twelve, my parents held a kiosk in the south of France, and I enjoyed looking through the fashion magazines. I was fascinated by the combination of colours and textures! The hobby turned into an addiction, an addiction turned into a career. 

For fifteen years I have been working as a commercial director in pret-à-porter. I have learnt how to select clothes and work with silhouettes. At some point, I started to take photos of interesting looks with my phone and post them on Instagram. And then, I realised that the picture with the associated well-written text would turn into a mini fashion guide. So the blog was born: the transition seemed really natural.

What was the world of fashion blogs like when you started out seven years ago?

At that time, the world of male blogs was empty, there were no more than two or three good ones. I saw that there was a demand for fashion bloggers, people in Instagram were getting interested in where I found clothes for my pictures.

And how is this world changing today?

Nowadays, men's fashion blogs doubled, the new generation is pretty efficient, ideally organised and well-coordinated. Today's bloggers are better diversifying, they cover different themes from street-style to hi-tech.

"I was fascinated by the combination of colours and textures.

The hobby turned into an addiction, an addiction turned into a career".

What are the main differences between male and female blogging?

The very first difference is in the content itself. Female bloggers often write personal, almost intimate posts: about makeup, romantic trips, underwear. Male bloggers, on the contrary, do not cover the subject of underwear at all. In men's blogs beauty products tips remain quite niche. Travelling is our common point, but hi-tech, cars and music are still the prerogative of men's blogs. Secondly, the relations between male bloggers remain very friendly and respectful, without subjective criticism, while competitive spirit prevails between female bloggers. Also, female bloggers normally write longer posts than male ones, they have a better frequency of posts as well.

Can this be explained by the rivalry?

Good question ... I do not even know. I would say that a woman's blog is initially similar to a diary, where she shares her secrets of beauty and writes about something more personal. A male blogger writes about things he likes from the "outer" world: there is a great car, these are great headphones.

You explore different styles on your blog. And which is your favourite one?

At the moment I am keen on Scandinavian style, the minimalism and the symmetry. I started to be drawn to simplicity with captivating details. Beneath the colours, I prefer grey, black, deep blue, pastel pink.

What trends do you think will blow up the men's fashion this season?

Pale pink colour! This puddly pink has already been appearing for two seasons in men's collections of luxury brands, and it clearly starts to seep into the mass market. I recently did a collaboration with Asos wearing an interesting pink velour bomber! 

Oversize clothes and the light nostalgia for the eighties will also be on trend, with large logos, like Tommy Jeans, Balenciaga or Louis Vuitton that made a collaboration with Supreme around this tendency.

What are the important details in the male looks to pay more attention to?

A very common mistake: men choose clothes of a wrong size. Some think that they will feel more comfortable in jeans two sizes larger than their own, others are embarrassed to accentuate their shapes. And, of course, it is crucial to experiment with accessories: scarves, colour accents, cool socks or wallet!

What is a typical blogger day like?

Today I spend the morning at the hotel. I review them through photos and articles, share my impressions on the rooms and the service. Often that is where I organise photo shoots or interviews. I look through new collections and new tendencies, I arrange meetings and business dinners. And, of course, a lot of Instagram: I upload a photo, usually in the morning, and I try to answer as many comments as I can. 

However, I never work in the evening, this is my principle. Influencer work is very energy-consuming: the whole life revolves around blogging, and it's hard not to get lost in virtual reality. 

The blogger does not have time to live in the real world: you need to take pictures of it! That is why I find it much important to find time to see friends and live the present moment.

@theparisianman

All images © Alina Sepp / Written by Katya Ulitina

Hervé Palmieri, chef and creator of "Hervé Cuisine"

Hervé Palmieri is a chef and a creator of the Hervé Cuisine channel about the art of simple and delicious meals.

How did you realise that cooking was your calling?

I have been cooking since I was a little boy: my parents encouraged me to bake pastries and prepare simple dishes. When I started to live separately from my parents, I simply did not have any choice but to cook for myself. I enjoyed buying cookbooks, I cut out recipes from magazines, and I also had a thick notebook with my mom's ones at home. 

At some point, I began to reunite my university friends at home to cook together. We cooked pies, tarts, carbonara paste, all kind of various simple student dishes, and my friends really loved it! And then I realised how the cooking process can bring people together, and how a good meal can make a party much better.

How did an idea of a food blog come up? 

While working full-time in marketing I did not have time to do anything else. I thought that I needed an activity for myself besides work. So I decided to start a food blog as it was something that I could do really well. 

So one day I came home from work and chose a simple chocolate fondant recipe. I had a small camera, which I put on a washing machine and started filming myself. It was terrible - I was embarrassed, shy, such a nightmare! But in the end, I made a video with the recipe of the fondant and put it on Youtube. 

I discovered the world of blogs, I learnt how to edit videos and create blog pages with HTML code - that time there were no simple platforms for site creations. I especially liked the technical side of the process, and as I progressed, I bought different devices for shooting, lighting and sound, switched to an HD camera and so on. 

Today it is already a small company that I manage, with contracts, companies and all the rest of it. In parallel, I have always worked in marketing, and I still do. I try not to turn my blog into a routine, to keep enthusiasm and inspiration.

What distinguish you from the other food bloggers?

I am one of the rare «broad-format» chefs. There are very simple recipes from three ingredients, but also complex multilayer cakes. There are meals from all over the world on my channel. You can find Thai, French, African and Maghreb cuisine on it. There are both vegan recipes and recipes with meat.

So I'm an expert in a wide culinary profile in all senses! I try to embrace everything, try everything. The only thing I try to avoid is the fast food recipes. Fast food does not fit in my lifestyle, I try to eat well.

Cooking is your job. Do you still have time to cook for yourself and your loved ones?

There are different periods in my life. Sometimes I don’t feel like cooking, so I dine out - this happens to me as well! 

Now there is a period when I cook for myself a lot. Recently, I mostly enjoy baking seasonal vegetables: I buy different kinds of cabbage, parsnips, carrots, beets ... I put them sprinkled with olive oil and spices in the oven at 180°C. In an hour I сome back from the gym, and the perfect dinner is ready! Quick and simply delicious.

What are your favourite restaurants in Paris?

I am really fond of 11th and 20th arrondissements of Paris - there are so many interesting restaurants there. I like Mme Shawn, a Thai restaurant in Upper Marais, near Marché des Enfants Rouges. 

I am also keen on the three Korean food restaurants by Pierre Sang on the Oberkampf street. Pierre Sang, the chef, opened three restaurants one next to another, and when you dine there, you do not know what’s on your plate. While eating, you need to concentrate on your sensations and try to guess what the ingredients are. Before you are served with the next the next dish, the chef tells you what the composition of the dish was. Such an unusual experience! 

I also like bento Nanashi because of its relaxed atmosphere and healthy products. 

When I want a delicious couscous, I go to L'homme bleu on Jean-Pierre Thimbaud street. This is a real traditional cuisine - as if you get away to Morocco for one night! 

Finally, I enjoy eating out in the Italian and French restaurants on Montorgueuil street.

What is it, a typical dinner of French cuisine - a starter, a main course, a dessert?

If we had a three-course meal today, I would make a dinner with all the seasonal food. For a starter, I would cook a salad with roasted asparagus, egg and olive oil. I would choose Beef bourguignon with some tasty Camargue rice. Of course, a cheese plate with a crispy baguette - we are in France, after all! I would also serve different leaves of salad with spices to the cheese plate like we do it in the South. And for dessert I think I'd make a lemon pie with meringues - a classic French dessert! The delicate balance between sour and sweet, with a gentle meringue at the top - simply perfect.

Could you please share some quick and healthy recipes for breakfast or snack - for those on who are always in a rush?

Among my recipes, there are lemon muffins that have little fat and sugar. If you store them in food film, they will remain soft for several days or can even be frozen.

 Another excellent option is homemade granola with oatmeal, dried fruits and nuts. You will need to chop dried fruits and nuts, mix them with oatmeal, honey or agave syrup and put it in the oven. You can take them with you when planning an interview on a rainy day! 

For breakfast, I like low-fat pancakes, it's especially good to make them with whole-grain flour, so that there are a lot of fibres. 

There is one interesting recipe for a chocolate cake with stevia instead of sugar, and with a peeled zucchini instead of butter! You can not taste the zucchini at all, the cake has a rich chocolate flavour.

" I am one of the rare «broad-format» chefs.

There are very simple recipes from three ingredients, but also complex multilayer cakes.

You can find Thai, French, African and Maghreb cuisine on my channel.

So I'm an expert in a wide culinary profile in all senses! I try to embrace everything."

@hervecuisine

All images © Alina Sepp / Written by Katya Ulitina

Helene Lacombe, architect and illustrator

Hélène Lacombe studies and exercices architecture in Paris and spent a year as an exchange student in Helsinki. She creates sophisticated, finely drawn architectural illustrations.

When and how exactly did you know that architecture and illustration was your thing?

My dad is an architect, and when he spoke to me about architecture, there were sparkles in his eyes. He also draws a lot, and me too, I started sketching when I was a little girl. 

I truly want to become an architect, but at the same time it is vital for me to continue making illustrations. Now I am finishing my Master’s final project, I work as an architect and as an illustrator, and since October I also draw on shop windows.

Are Hélène the Illustrator and Hélène the Architect the same person? Do these activities demand same personal qualities?

Both require a lot of patience and perseverance. One illustration takes an average of 6 to 15 hours, so you need to stay as concentrated as possible. I can only say that the illustration is less stressful. When I draw, I feel self-confident, whereas in architecture school teachers constantly try to destabilise you and to make out question your own work. But I think they do it on purpose: the architect is an emotionally exhausting profession, so they try to prepare for hard reality. 

Most of your illustrations are drawings of architectural monuments. Why is that?

Because even if I lived in Paris, I got a feeling I didn’t have the opportunity to see it that often. But when I was drawing a Parisian building, I got to know every column and statue by heart. When you draw architecture, you understand it more profoundly. I like drawing ancient churches and cathedrals with many exquisite details. However, making illustrations with modern buildings is also great! For example, I recently drew the Marseille apartment unit of Le Corbusier and the Pompidou Center.

Can you name some illustrators that inspire you?

Thibo Rassa (@thibautrassat), an architect and illustrator, his works are very lively; Mark Puglia (@markpoulierart), an Australian illustrator who daily uploads drawings of train window views. There is a French version of it, it is called @ attention_à_la_marche6; this guy sketches people in the subway, and for each sketch, he puts a background of the colour of the metro line he drew it on! I love both the idea and the style.

So Instagram is you work platform only?

Yes, and it is a source of inspiration as well. Without Instagram, I probably would not become an illustrator and I would not meet so many interesting people from all over the world. But Instagram has this kind of false, fraudulent side that I don’t like. Before children used to dream of becoming scientists and movie stars, and now they only want to be influencers on Instagram. I try to protect myself from the toxic influence of social networks and the false values they impose. 

Do you have the lack of inspiration sometimes? How do you tackle that?

    Yeah, sometimes I don’t feel like drawing, or I draw less. Then I try to take my mind off the work and do something else; it helps to relax and to find fresh ideas. We shouldn’t push ourselves all the time: otherwise, you can simply burn out. This happened to me in Helsinki: I drew illustrations for clients non-stop one by one, and at some point, I didn’t enjoy the very process. We must give ourselves time. 

Your three places to visit absolutely?

First of all, it’s Svalbard, this is my ultimate dream! Such a lost Arctic treasure on the edge of the world. Secondly, Iceland, I guess. And finally, I only was in St. Petersburg among Russian cities, three times though, and am genuinely looking forward to seeing Moscow and other Russia’s regions. What can I say: I adore the North!

What do you like and dislike the most in Paris as an architect?

Many people and even my friends from the architecture school constantly criticise new Parisian architecture. They believe that Paris is the Baron Haussmann’s ancient buildings. Friends sometimes point me out the modern architecture saying: «Don’t you build such a thing, Hélène!» - but I will! Architects can’t keep designing old stone mansions anymore; architecture must evolve. 

Parisians are not very open to new approaches, new technologies in construction. 

For example, Renzo Piano is actually designing a project of the Palais de Justice - such an incredible project! But many of my friends think it is too defiant and not representing the spirit of Paris. And I just hate to hear such arguments! 

At the same time, I adore the ancient architecture in Paris. Every day I walk on the Pont des Arts and take a picture of the Seine, and I am still charmed even if it has been six years I am nearby. No matter how long you live here, Paris will always be inspiring.

Do you think creativity is something innate or something that can be developed?

I believe that there are some initial skills you have when you are a child that help to understand which direction to follow, like the sense of proportion, the sense of perspective. But talent ... There are certainly little boys and girls who play symphonies on the piano since they are tree or something,  and they are undoubtedly gifted. Anyway, even if the talent exists, it means nothing without effort and striving to achieve the perfection. Drawing is like sport, seriously!

-Monmartre or le Marais?

Montmartre.

-The Left bank or the Right bank?

The Right bank!

-Croissant or Pain au chocolat?

Croissant.

- Disneyland or Versailles?

None of the two! Can I choose that?

- Subway or bicycle?

Subway!

-Quish or Swedish meatballs?

Oh! Meatballs!

-Normandy or Brittany?

Normandy.

- Red wine or White wine?

White wine!

- Ski station or the beach?

Skiing!

Interview published on pariswithme.com / Helene’s instagram @helenelacombe

All images © Alina Sepp / Written by Katya Ulitina